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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Ray Ratto

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 29: A view of cut-outs of African-American players from the Negro Leagues are displayed in left field during a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on August 29, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson this weekend. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Phillies won 4-1. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

MLB Attempts To Fix The Baseball History It Fractured

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Fans hold up a Chief Wahoo sign at a Cleveland baseball game.

The Cleveland Baseball Team Is Already Making A Big Mess Of Their Own Name Change

David Roth

It's Dany Ramirez, the last player picked in the 2020 Rule 5 Draft.

Let Us Now Praise The Garbage Feast At The Heart Of The MLB Winter Meetings

Dave McKenna

Dick Allen, stylish to the last, throws out the first pitch at a Phillies game in 2009.

Dick Allen, Who Didn’t Like Fake Grass Or Being Fucked With, Is Dead


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

Zach Wheeler pitches in a grey Phillies uniform (red cap) in the 2020 season

The Phillies Are Reportedly Looking To Get Worse

This is a photo of Frank Menechino, and NOT Frank Catalanotto

White Sox Manager Tony La Russa: Let’s Remember Some Damn Guys

Albert Burneko

NC Dinos (KBO) lift giant sword trophy after winning Korean Series

This Is So Stupid

Make Sports Trophies Cooler

Lauren Theisen

Blake Snell #4 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts as he is being taken out of the game

The Rays, Who Had The 28th-Highest Payroll Last Year, Are Reportedly Looking To Dump Salary

Robinson Cano #24 of the New York Mets spits

Robinson Canó Will Lose $24 Million After Testing Positive For Archaic Steroids

Tom Ley

Theo Epstein’s Departure Is Another Bad Omen For The Cubs

A human cadaver positioned as if throwing a baseball at "Bodies...The Exhibition".

Interviews

An Astrophysicist Explains The Challenges Of De-Juicing The Baseball

Alex Cora makes a stupid face as manager of the Boston Red Sox, back before he was fired for being a cheater.

Red Sox Rehire Alex Cora, HEY LOOK OVER THERE

<p><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">Marc Normandin currently writes on baseball’s labor issues and more at </span><a style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif" href="http://marcnormandin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://marcnormandin.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1758998321491000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ZpjG5RUFwdpapWqR1u4bd">marcnormandin.com</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">, which you can read for free but support </span><a style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif" href="https://www.patreon.com/marcnormandin">through his Patreon</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">. His baseball writing has appeared at FOX Sports, SB Nation, Defector, Global Sport Matters, Deadspin, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports on Earth, The Guardian, The Nation, FAIR, and TalkPoverty, and you can read his takes on video games at Retro XP and Endless Mode.</span></p>
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Marc Normandin

A back field at a MLB training facility in Glendale, Arizona.

Senne v. MLB Could Deliver Real Change For Minor Leaguers

Brad Hand walks off after getting the last out of an exhibition game in Pittsburgh, in July.

Brad Hand Is A Bad Omen

Justin Turner grimaces after nearly hitting a home run in Game 6 of the World Series, while aware he'd tested positive for Covid-19.

Podcasts

Very Good Baseball And Exceedingly Bad Times, With Justin Ellis

Baseball Should Kill The Baseball

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 07: Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred attends Game Two of the National League Division Series between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Globe Life Field on October 07, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Is Rob Manfred Bad For Baseball?

Blake Snell #4 of the Tampa Bay Rays is congratulated by pitching coach Kyle Snyder and third base coach Rodney Linares after being taken out of the game

Blake Snell Made Everybody Look Foolish, Especially His Manager


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

Justin Turner of the Dodgers sits for team photo after testing positive for coronavirus midgame

Justin Turner Tests Positive For COVID-19, Gets Pulled Midgame, Rejoins And Hugs Dodgers After World Series Win

<p>Patrick Dubuque is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.</p>


Patrick Dubuque

Manuel Margot after being tagged out (or not!) attempting to steal home in Game 5 of the World Series

Instant Replay And The Perils Of Baseball At The Atomic Level

Mike Zunino congratulates Peter Fairbanks, one of the Rays' 23 excellent relievers.

Getting Everything Right May Not Be Enough

Defector Up All Night

The Time Has Come To Drink Two Beers And Chat About Game 1 Of The World Series

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MARCH 26: The "Going to the World Series" sculpture by Harry Weber is seen in front of Globe Life Park, the prior home of the Texas Rangers on March 26, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers had to delay their March 31, 2020 debut opening of Globe Life Field after Major League Baseball postponed the start of its season due to the COVID-19 outbreak. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Do Not Go Gently Into The Football Time

Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Bay Rays rounds the bases after hitting a home run in Game 7 of the ALCS